John The Baptist Poem by Simon Foulkes

'after me comes one you do not Know' John 1.26

The locust is a bitter food without honey sweetness;
For years life was bitter - scorched, desert-ed
Nazirite eyes black pin-pricks of pain, waiting-
And taking ridicule. But I marked out a highway
In the spirit and power of Elijah.
I am not The one to Come. I am not the Prophet. I am not worthy.
I am not Messiah. I am Baptist.

Look! The lamb of God!
I baptise with water- but after me comes another,
He stands among you - visible but unseen,
Present but not noticed, unremarked, disregarded; the cloaked traveller.
You ask me who I am- ask who He is!
In the Isaiah words: 'Here is your God'
Here - is - your - God

I cry out
From the bitter food
But here is the honey
The sweetness of God
O Jerusalem, O lost and shattered city
City of dreams
Of stonings and defeat
Tenderly, sweetly,
Your work, your pain is done
Hard service finished
Sins deleted, paid for
Tenderly, sweetly,
Jerusalem - I am Baptist -
Here - is - your - God.

19/12/9